I think I bombed...

Ortho_RN · Jan 23, 2002

Julie...

I am sure things are gonna be fine.... One word of advice that I am trying to take myself.. STOP CHANGING ANSWERS!! Unless you are 100%, then go with your first instinct... I have always been the worlds worst at going back and talking myself into changing the answer and always for the wrong!! Had my first test Tuesday and I was reading over the test after I finished and I almost changed two answers.. And if I would have it would have been wrong... I know it's hard to do... But your first instinct is usually correct....

:)

Don't worry about it too much... It's not healthy ( and yes, I know that is easier said than done) :)

marieoct62 · Jan 24, 2002

Do you have test anxiety? When you are in class do you understand what the instructor is teaching? If you get it in class then just reading the material and your notes should help you to pass the test. I am not sure if your test are like ours but there are usually 2 answers that are wrong and two that are right. I will share with you some of my test taking tips. 1. always cover the test and do not look at any other question than the one you are working on. 2. Do not spend alot of time on one question, narrow your chances down to two and then go on to the next question Circle the question so you remember to go back to it. 3. READ the question two or three times CAREFULLY alot of times there are prompt words like BEST, FIRST, PRIORITY, LEAST. Look for these words and really understand the question. 4. Do not change your answers after you are done ( I guess you learned this one the hard way

In my med surg class I was more interested in the disease process and concentrated on studying that instead of the Nursing interventions (dah on my part) I was getting frustrated and my instructor told me " Marie, people don't give a darn what a small bowel obstruction is all they want to know is how do I get better. I hope some of these have helped you, they have helped me out.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2002

Julie,

Are your tests like mine? Like where a lot of what they said was gonna be on the test wasn't? Or we would spend so much time memorizing certain things and there would be only one question about it on the whole test?

We had a test yesterday and all of us were not happy. We all thought we were gonna fail and have to go through the test assessment with the teachers. Well turns out, all of us passed and we all did better than we thought! We often are our worst enemy..especially when waiting for test results. We always think the worse.

Do you get sufficient breaks during those 4-5 hr lectures? That is so important. Know that you aren't the only one who feels really bad taking a test and then waiting for the results afterwards. If I do poor on a test, I analyze every question as soon as I can and make sure I am explained why the correct answer is the correct one. My teachers are famous for not explaining anything, so my class is good about not letting them throw something under the carpet. My whole family is worried I'm gonna lead an insurrection against my nursing faculty LOL!

Julie, try to keep your chin up and know that we are rooting for you!

Z

delirium · Jan 24, 2002

Julie,

Chin up girl, you'll make it. You should give yourself a gigantic pat on the back for making it this far with a husband and kids and all of your other responsibilities. You're doing a great job.

The only thing I can suggest is what I said in another thread... break things up into manageable pieces. You'll never remember anything if you try and study it all at once, you should 'chunk' it. Study for a little while, then take a break and do something else.

It also helps me IMMENSELY to have a study partner. My friend and I are both extremely serious about school and our grades and we dont' study with anyone else. Its not that we're snobby, but if you don't bring anything to the table academically---its not a social group. (well, sometimes, it is but you understand)

Another thing I've found that helps are the Springhouse incredibly easy series. There's ekg interpretation made incredibly easy, fluid and electrolytes made incredibly easy, medical-surgical nursing made incredible easy... etc. They are incredibly easy, and they really help.

You need to relax, first. Then take a look at your study habits, second, and see if there's anything you can improve on. I'm sure you're doing great... everyone has an off test every now and then.

Take good care of yourself.

stevie b · Jan 24, 2002

JULIE,

SIT BACK AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH.YOU HAVE COMA A LONG WAY AND HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE WITH SCHOOL AND FAMILY.

I KNOW YOU HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF,BECAUSE YOUR POSTS ARE ALWAYS SO POSITIVE,AND I HAVE OFTEN DRAWN STRENGTH FROM YOUR ATTITUDE ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL.DONT LET THIS ONE TEST DESTROY YOU,AND AS FOR CHANGING ANSWERS,YOUR FIRST GUT INSTINCT IS USUALLY CORRECT.I,TO HAVE CHANGED ANSWERS BEFORE ONLY TO FIND OUT I WAS INITIALLY RIGHT.

I HAVE A TEACHER WHO TELL STUDENTS WHO STRESS OUT ABOUT MAKING C'ON A TEST.."WHAT DO YOU CALL A NURSE WHO MADE C'S".....A NURSE!

Katnip, RN · Jan 24, 2002

Julie, if those 4 and 5 hour lectures are too much to absorb (they are for me, too) take a tape recorder, then go over it in bits and pieces later. It might help.

And don't get discouraged. You're so close! I've had many tests where I was sure I bombed, and ended up with a B. So hang in there.

In meantime, take a nice long soak in a bubble bath.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2002

Everyone here has great advice for you. I only have to say this You will make it! You have six months to go. Please hang in there. You, and people like you give me the courage to go on with my own dreams. I read the posts from all the nurisng students and the strenght I get is amazing. I have done work,school and kids. I do know how tough it is. Just take a deep breath in and say I can do it, and you will. Here is my email,if you want to mail me and vent, or you just want someone to talk to, please feel free

[email protected]

take care of yourself, I look forward to reading of your graduation.

Rhona

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2002

Juile, everyone hear already gave some wonderful advice. I hope you did good. Sometimes it is when we think we bombed when we actually did good. I know all about changing answers that is my all time bad habit that I am slowly but surely getting better at. As for the lectures I know about long lectures too. For the past 2 weeks we have been in class everyday 8-4 except friday it has been 8-12 but it is about to get better as we go into clinicals next week. You CAN and you WILL make it through. Keep reading your quote. It is one of my favorite quotes as well and I constantly repeat it to myself. I know it may be hard but if you are not already doing this start taking some time out for yourself everyday. Even if it is just 15-20 minutes. I started doing that and I have seen a MAJOR difference in my stress/anxiety level.

Take care:)

kelligrl · Jan 24, 2002

Hang in there girl--you can do this!! You made it this far... You're under a crapload of stress right now and that makes it easy to look at things in a bad light. I'm doing about the same thing as you right now (school & family) so I feel your pain...but you can make it! Most likely you didn't do as poorly as you think you did, we're always hard on ourselves after tests...Keep on it, you're doing great!!

pkmom · Jan 24, 2002

take a deep breath, a sip of coffee and relax. You can do it, you've made it this far and you can conquer the remaining 6 months.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2002

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support. I'll find out tomorrow what I got on the test, and although I am pretty sure I did bomb, I have drawn strength from all of you.

And I want you all to know that I WILL pass this course!

There is a little problem with one of our instructors though. She will give a 4 hour lecture and you get about 15 minutes of information in it. In other words, she'll be heading down the "cardiac" highway and take a sharp left and not return for quite some time!

PS. I have taken to recording my lectures, and it sure does help a lot! It's more listening, but I think it helps to hear it over again, and to be able to take notes from that also.

Thanks again to all of you! I'm SO glad I can come to all of you for help and support when I need it.

You are all great!

Julie:)